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Required Health Insurance Coverage

The NYU health insurance plan is mandatory for all F-1 and J-1 students. This plan meets the requirements for J-1 students, as mandated by the United States Department of State. F-2 dependents are urged to have health insurance coverage. J-2 dependents are required by federal law to have adequate health insurance. This insurance must provide an unlimited benefit maximum for inpatient and outpatient medical services, medical evacuation of at least $50,000, repatriation of remains of at least $25,000, and a deductible not to exceed $500 per year.

F-1 and J-1 students are automatically enrolled in and billed for the NYU-sponsored student health insurance comprehensive plan upon registration each semester. F-1 and J-1 students may elect to instead take the basic coverage, which provides more limited coverage.

Waivers are only granted after students provide documentation, in English, to the Student Health Insurance Office indicating that their own insurance plan's coverage meets the University's criteria:

The insurance company must be headquartered and operating in the U.S., with a U.S. claims address and customer service number.

Coverage must be in effect for the entire current year - from August of the present year to August of the next year.

The plan must provide inpatient hospitalization benefits in the New York City area, including mental health care.

The plan must provide outpatient benefits (office visits, outpatient mental health care, laboratory and radiology procedures) in the New York City area.

Medical benefits must have an unlimited benefit maximum per condition, including hospitalization and physician office visits.

Medical evacuation of at least $50,000

Repatriation of remains of at least $25,000

A deductible not to exceed $500 per year

In order to waive the NYU-sponsored health insurance plan, you must complete an online application within the first three weeks of the semester and provide an English-language copy of the insurance policy. The policy must include the date coverage begins; a list of all deductions, copayments, and other out-of-pocket expenses; plan benefits, including a list of medical and mental health treatments that are excluded from coverage.

The waiver application and information about the insurance plan and NYU requirements are available here. You may email health.insurance@nyu.edu or call the NYU Student Health Insurance Services Office at (212) 443-1020.

Remember that at medical facilities in the United States, including the Student Health Center, you will be asked to pay for the treatment at the time you receive services if you are covered by an insurance program outside the U.S. You will then be given a receipt to send to your insurance company for reimbursement. Students covered under the NYU optional plans have no out-of-pocket expenses for medically necessary services performed at the Student Health Center.

Understanding the U.S. Healthcare System Presentation

Watch these five videos (listed below) for further clarification on topics such as insurance, accessing medical care, accessing mental health care, how to prepare for healthcare in another country, and more.